Honing apparatus



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' HONING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 HEREER TfifA/DGE' May M, 1943. H. s; INDGE HONING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiL-RBERTE fND 5E May H, 1943. H. s. INDGE HONING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1341 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 3mm /'7/ER5ER T5 [N0 55 Patented May 11, 1943 HONING APPARATUS Herbert S. Indge, Westboro, Mass, assignor to Norton Company, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 10, 1941, Serial No. 392,833

6 Claims.

The invention relates to honing apparatus especially for the finishing of piston rings. By the word honing I intend to include all grinding, abrading, lapping and polishing operations performed with the apparatus herein described.

One object of the invention is to provide a honing tool for piston rings or any other objects having a cylindrical surface to be polished, adapted to smooth, them with a minimum of labor. Another object of the invention is to provide a readily renewable abrasive for finishing cylindrical objects. Another object of the invention is to provide a quick acting clamp to clamp sandpaper or abrasive cloth around a cylindrical object. Another object of the invention is to provide a holder for holding an abrasive coated sheet in cylindrical form for operation on a work piece. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one of many possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a View, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of a reciprocating to'ol machine to which the invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing certain controls on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a similar cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view, partly in plan and partly in section, along the line 44 of Figure 1, illustrat ing further controls;

Figure 5 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in section, showing the same controls as are shown in Figure 4 but in a different position;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View of the lower stop disk;

Figure 7 is an elevation of the intermediate stop;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the striking dog in the form of a disk;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the honing apparatus of the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of said apparatus; and

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the apparatus.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a chuck for holding a piece of sandpaper or abrasive cloth in contact with an object to be polished, together with a mounting for the chuck and for the sandpaper or cloth and means for opening and closing the chuck rapidly and means for holding the paper smoothly on the inside of the chuck. For a full understanding of the invention, its use on a machine to impart relative reciprocation, preferably equipped with means for advancing and Withdrawing the Work holder, is disclosed. It will be understood, therefore, that the apparatus of the invention can be mounted on any suitable machine to efiect the reciprocatory and rotary motions or either of them with or without the means for separating the parts, and that such machine may be manually controlled or automatic or semi-automatic and either the tool or the work piece may be reciprocated. Therefore, in order better to illustrate the application of the present invention, I shall now describe one form of machine tool to which the invention may be applied.

Referring now to Figure 1, the machine tool may have abase- It and a column ll merging into a horizontal overhead extension l2 ending in a forked portion l3. In the forked portion l3 are coaxial journals M mounting a splined shaft 15 for rotation and reciprocation. A pulley I! is keyed to the splined shaft l5 and rotates it, permitting the splined shaft to reciprocate in the pulley. The pulley l7 fits between two parts of the fork l3 and is driven by a belt l8 running from a motor pulley I9 driven by a motor 20. Since the belt l8 changes its direction of travel, it runs over a pair of pulleys a mounted on a bracket 2| fastened to the upper part of the column II.

The splined shaft I5 passes through the upper bearing l4 into a cylinder 22 and constitutes a piston rod, being connected by a thrust ball hearing 23 to a piston 24 in the cylinder 22. Next to the cylinder 22 and desirably formed out of the same casting is a valve cylinder 25. A valve rod 26 passes through the cylinder and has thereon two valve members 28 and 29 forming valve chambers 3|, 32 and 33. A pressure pipe 34 transmits fluid under pressure to the center of the valve cylinder 25 while exhaust pipes 35 are located symmetrically with respect to the pressure pipe 34.

The valve parts are shown in Figure 1 in the neutral or stop position with the valve members 28 and 29 blocking the entrance to channels 35 and .31 leading to opposite ends of the cylinder 22. When the valve members 28 and 29 are moved upwardly, the chamber 32 connects the pipe 34 to the channel 36, and when they are moved downwardly the same chamber 32 connects the pipe 34 to the channel 31. It will also be seen that whichever channel 36 or 31 is not connected to the pressure pipe 34 must be connected to one of the exhaust pipes 35. It follows that raising the valve rod 26 from the position shown in Figure 1 admits pressure fluid to the upper end of the cylinder 22, and lowering of the valve rod 26 admits pressure fluitd to the lower end of the cylinder 22 and whatever end of the cylinder 22 is not connected to pressure is always connected to exhaust. Therefore, the shaft I can be caused to move downwardly by raising the valve rod 26 and upwardly by lowering the valve rod 26. I

Located upon the shaft I5 below the fork I3 is a striking disk 46 the diameter of which is great enough to overlap stop disks 4| and 42 on the valve rod 26. A stop arm 43 is located between the disks 4| and 42 and will or will not be struck by the disk 46, depending upon its angular position.

Fastened to the top of the rod 26 is an arm 45 mounting a roller 46 sometimes in position to contact a spring-pressed detent 4I urged to the left by spring 48 in a casing 49 fastened to the top of the cylinder 22. Referring to Figures 2 and 4, when a handle 56 aflixed tothe bottom of the valve rod 26 is turned to a certain position, the roller 46 as well as the stop arm 43 are out of the plane of the axes of the valve rod 26 and shaft I5 and away from the area in plan view of the detent 41 and the disk 46. Under such conditions' the disk 46 will strike only one of the disks 4| or 42 and upon doing so will move the valve rod 26 until the valve members 28 and 29 have closed the entrances to the channels 36 and 31, whereupon the piston 24 will stop in the cylindef- 22.

As shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, the stop 43 has a spring striking member 5|, and the stop disk 42 has an annular striking member 52 supported by springs 53. When either of these striking members is engaged by the disk 46, the spring or springs are compressed. When the resistance to movement is increased by the contact of the roller 46 with the detent 41, the spring or springs store up considerable energy which is given up when the resistance to movement decreases as it does when the roller 46 reaches the high point of the detent 41. Thus the spring 5| or the springs 53 push the valve rod 26 to carry the valve members 28 and 29 beyond the mid position, and the spring 48 back of the detent 41, once the roller 46 has passed the mid position on the detent 41, carries the valve member 26 still farther to reverse the valve. Thus the shaft I5 will always stop in the high position, but will reciprocate in the down position so long as the striking disk 46 is between the arm 43 and disk 42; By manipulating the handle 56, the operator can easily control the movement of the shaft I5 to make it reciprocate and, when desired, to withdraw to the upper or remoteposition and stop. The disks 4| and 42 and the arm 43 are preferably adjustable to any desired positions alongthe rod 26. In order to avoid friction and possible rotation of the rod 26 by the rotating disk 46 acting on the disk 4| etc., the disk 4| is preferably mounted on the shaft I5 through ball bearings 55.

. suitable way a block I6. This may be merely such alarge block that its own weight will prevent it from moving on the table 62. The block I6 has a T shaped groove 'II in which, as shown in Figure 11, fits a large head I2 of a bolt I3. As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, on the bolt I3 and near the opposite ends thereof are the hubs I4 of levers comprising front arms I5 and rear arms I6. The parts I4, I5, I6 may be formed in one piece, as shown. Also located on the bolt I3 and inside of the vhub I4 are hubs II of levers comprising front arms I8 and rear arms 2'9. From the drawings it will be seen that the levers I5, I6 are on one side and the levers I8, I9 are on the otherside of a vertical plane passing through the bolt I3. The arms I5 and I8 are bowed and are respectively attached to a pair of hollow semi-cylinders 86 and 8!, respectively, as by means of a pair of bolts 82 extending through the arms I5 and to the semi-cylinder 66 and a pair of bolts 83 extending through the arms 18 and into the semi-cylinder 8|.

Located between the hubs I1, 11 on the bolt I3 is a boss 85 formed on one end of a cylinder 86 containing a piston 81 connected by a piston rod 88 to a collar 89 located on a pin 96. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a pair of links 9| extend from the outer ends of the pin 96 to a pin 92 passing through both of the links 9| and also through the outer ends of the two arms I6. Similarly a pair of links 93 are mounted on the pin 96 adjacent collar 89 and extend to a pin 95 upon which they are mounted and upon which also are mounted the outer ends of the arms I9.

As shown, the semi-cylinders 86 and BI are contacting each other, jointly forming a perfect hollow cylinder. When, however, the piston 61 moves in the cylinder 86 to the left, the collar 69 moves the pin 96 outwardly and this swings the links 9| and 93 and causes the arms I6 and I9 to approach each other which swings the arms I5 and I8 away from each other, separating the semi-cylinders 86 and 8|.

Referring to Figures 9 and 16, mounted on the outside of the semi-cylinder 86 is a bracket I66 and mounted on the outside of the semi-cylinder 8| i a bracket I6I. Mounted on these brackets I66 and I6I are posts I62 and I63 upon which may be mounted rolls of sandpaper I64 and I65. The rolls I64 and I65 are, in fact, part of one continuous length of sandpaper identified by the numeral I66. One of the rolls I 64 or I65 may be considered the let-off or feeding roll and the other thereof may be considered the take-up roll. The sandpaper I66, as shown, extends between the semi-cylinders 66 and SI through both sides thereof and atthe left-hand side loops around a post I6I formed on a bracket I66 fastened to the outside of one of the semi-cylinders, such as the semi-cylinder 86. As shown, the sandpaper I66 follows the inside contour of the semi-cylinders 86 and BI very closely. The abrasive is on the inside of the sheet.

F or holding the sheet of sandpaper or other sheet abrasive material .to the inside of the semicylinders 80 and III, I provide vacuum means which may also be utilized to move the piston 87 in the cylinder 86. As shown in Figure 9, I may provide a motor IIO operating a vacuum pump III connected to a hollow cylinder II2 with a gauge I09. The pump III will substantially exhaust the cylinder II2 which represents stored energy. A valve casing II3 has in it a valve rod H4 and three valve pistons H5, H5 and I I I. These pistons define chambers I I8 and H9. A pipe I is connected to the cylinder H2 and has two branches I2I land I22 connected to the valve cylinder I I3. The cylinder 86 is connected by pipes I23 and I24 to the valve cylinder II3. When the valve rod H4 is to the right, as shown, the chamber IIB connects the storage cylinder I I2 to the right-hand end of the cylinder 86 and thus holds the piston 81 to the right. If the valve rod I I4 is pushed to the left, the storage cylinder I I2 will be connected to the pipe I23 and thereby the left-hand end of the cylinder 85, drawing the piston 87 to the left, moving the links 9| and 93, and separating the semi-cylinders 80 and BI. A pipe I25 is connected to the valve cylinder I I3 opposite the branch I22 and with the valve rod I I4 to the right, as shown. The chamber II9 connects the storage cylind r M2 to the pipe I25 which branches I26 and I2? leading respectively to the semi-cylinder 80 and ill. The semi-cylinders 80 and 8| have interior chambers I30 and I3I, respectively, connected to the pipes I 26 and I 21, respectively, and connected to the inside of the hollow cylinders by a great number of openings I35. The suction of air to the cylinder I I2 and the pump III along pipes I26 and I2! and the pipe I25 from the chambers I30 and I3I through the openings I holds the abrasive paper I06 to the insides of the semi-cylinders 80 and 8| and what is more holds it smoothly in true cylindrical shape.

I have referred to the sheet I06 as sandpaper. It should be understood that any type of abrasive can be used, such as emery, corundum, fused alumina, silicon carbide, and any suitable adhesive such as glue, synthetic resin or varnish can be used to hold the abrasive to the paper. The paper itself may be of any desired variety and, furthermore, the backing may be cloth instead of paper, if desired. In the claims I shall refer to the element I06 as sheet abrasive material which is to be deemed to include further variations, such as where the backing is sheet metal, for example.

At the lower end of the shaft I5 is a suitable chuck or arbor I upon which may be mounted annular objects I4I to be finished. The machine is particularly designed to hone piston rings, However, any kind of a cylindrical member can be mounted upon the shaft I5 and honed with the apparatus of the invention.

The apparatus which is more particularlythe subject of the invention is mounted upon the block 10 by means of the head 12 in the T slot II. The bolt 73 may have an enlarged diameter portion I for supporting the weight of the parts and the various hubs I4, 11 and 85 can be held in place on the bolt I3 by means of a nut I46. The valve cylinder I I3 may be conveniently mounted on the column II and the operator may move the valve rod II4 by means of a knob or handle I41. The pipes I23, I24, I25, I26 may be and preferably are bendable. The operator, after locating the semi-cylinders 80 and 0| axially in line with the axis of the shaft I5, pushes the knob I41 to the left or inwardly and this causes the semi-cylinders and 8| to fly apart and releases the sheet abrasive I06. The operator may then ascertain if an unused abrasive portion of the sheet abrasive material I06 is located in the semi-cylinders and, if not, may manipulate the rolls I04 and I05. It is noted that in order to insure movement of the piston 81 in the cylinder Bil, a somewhat loose fit of the piston rod 08 in the head of the cylinder 86 is relied upon to admit air. An opening I50 may be provided at the other end of the cylinder 86 for the same purpose. The operator now moves the handle 50 upwardly which causes the chuck I40 to descend. As the disk 40 passes below the arm 43, he swings the handle 50 to move the arm 43 so that the disk 40 will contact it, on the up stroke. The chuck I00 is now reciprocating in a lower range of positions. The operator can now pull the handle I41 which will suck the sheet abrasive I06 and close the semi-cylinders 80 and BI. It is preferred, however, to stop the chuck I40 in a downward position to be sure that no loop of sheet abrasive I06 is formed adjacent the entrance points before closing the semi-cylinders. If this is done the toggle action of the links 9 I, 93 serves to compress the semi-cylinders 80 and 8I firmly against the work and to move the whole apparatus slightly in the slot 1| either angularly around the bolt, '13 or along the slot more accurately to align the par-ts. The handle 50 can then be moved up or down, as the case may be, to start the reciprocation. After :a few minutes, the piston rings I 4I have been honed and by simply swinging the handle 50 in one direction or the other, the chuck I 40 is caused to rise and stop and by simply pulling the knob I41 the semicylinders are opened up readily for insertion of a new work piece or work pieces.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accom- D y d aw ngs is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In-apparatus of the class described, a pair of hollow partial cylinders which when joined constitute a substantially complete hollow cylinder, supply means for sheet abrasive material outside of said hollow cylinder including means for removing used material mounted to hold both sides of a loop of such sheet abrasive material into one joint between said pair of partial cylinders when said partial cylinders are closed, means also outside of said hollow cylinder around which the end of said loop of sheet abrasive material may be passed and positioned to hold said loop adjacent and allowing it to pass through the other joint between said pair of partial cylinders, chambers inside of each of said partial cylinders connected to holes extending to the inside surface of said hollow partial cylinders, vacuum means connected to said chambers, and means for clamping said hollow partial cylinders together and for separating them and unitary means for controlling said vacuum means and said clamping and separating means.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a base,

a bearing post slidingly supported on said base, bell crank levers rotatably mounted in opposed relation on said post, toggle means joining corresponding ends of said cranks, complementary cylindrical members mounted on the free ends of said cranks respectively and adapted when closed to form a space toreceive a work piece, said semicylindrical member having ports communicating with their inner faces, means for guiding and supporting sheet abrasive material between said members in position to be engaged by negative pressure exerted through the ports of said members and to be held firmly thereby against the interior surface of said members, and means including a source of fluid pressure for moving said toggles to close and to separate said semi-cylindrical members and for simultaneously exerting negative pressure through said ports of said members.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a chuck having a T-shaped groove, an upright member slidingly supported in said groove, scissor-like levers rotatably mounted on said upright member, toggle means joining corresponding ends of said scissor-like levers, complementary semi-cylindrical members mounted on the free ends of said scissor-like levers respectively and adapted when closed to form a closure to receive a work piece to be abraded, said semi-cylindrical members having ports communicating with their inner faces, slidably mounted means for operating said toggle to close and to separate said semi-cylindrical members, means to actuate said toggle operating means and to exert negative pressure through the ports of said semi-cylindrical members when said toggle operating means is actuated to close said members, and lengths of sheet abrasive material extending between said members and adapted to be held against the inner surfaces of said members respectively thus forming a continuous abrading surface when negative pressure is exerted through the ports of said members.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a pair of complementary semi-cylindrical members having suction ports communicating with the interior surfaces of said members, a pair of scissorlike supporting arms connected at their free ends to said members, means for supporting said scissor-like members for rotation to close and to separate said members, means for actuating said arms to close and to separate said semi-cylindrical members, a source of negative pressure, conduits connecting said source of negative pressure to the said ports of the semi-cylindrical members and to said arms actuating means, control means for supplying negative pressure to said ports simultaneously with pressure supplied to said arms actuating means to close said members, and for cutting off the supply of negative pressure to said ports while pressure is supplied to said arms actuating means to separate said members, and sheet abrasive material in position to be clamped to the inner surfaces of said members respectively by negative pressure supplied through the said ports thereof and to thus form a closed cylindrical interior abrasive surface, and a work holder reciprocable into and out of the space thus formed.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a pair of hollow partial cylinders which when joined constitute a substantially complete hollow cylinder, means for supporting said partial cylinders respectively to open and close them, means for actuating said supporting means, a supply of sheet abrasive material, means for guiding a loop of said material between said partial cylinders, means for exerting negative pressure on the inner surfaces of said partial cylinders to engage and hold said sheet abrasive material around the curved inner surfaces of said partial cylinders, and means for operating said means for exerting negative pressure in timed relation to said means for actuating the supporting means for said cylinders.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a plurality of complementary members presenting complementary concave faces grouped about a common axis, said members having chambers therein and each member having a plurality of ports in its concave face communicating with the chamber in the member, means mounting said members for movement of at least one of them in a direction toward or away from another to thereby contract said members relative to a round work-piece received therebetween for abrasive action or to expand them for the removal of the work-piece, tool means for performing an operation on the work-piece and comprising flexible sheet material resting against said faces and covering over the ports in the latter, means for creating in said chambers and hence in said ports a pressure below atmospheric so that atmospheric pressure holds the flexible sheet material conformed to and against the concave faces of said members during operation thereof upon the work-piece, means for controlling expansion and contraction of said members, and means for controlling the pressure in said chambers whereby conformity of the sheet material to said concave faces may be controlled for the reception or removal of the work-piece or operation thereon.

HERBERT S. INDGE. 

